Graham Potter is beginning to identify Chelsea’s deep-rooted problems but thinks any solutions will need time to revive the club to its former glory.
The Blues are on their worst run of league form since 1996 after losing 2-1 to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Thursday night.
After four months in charge, the Blues have declined into 10th place in the Premier League, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United who have a game in hand and are out of both domestic cups.
Asked about whether there are any signs of improvement, Potter couldn’t say but insists that he is identifying issues that he can fix over time.
“I can’t sit here and say things are improving when the results are like they are,” Potter told reporters.
“What we do know is that we know a lot more about the club, a lot more about the players, a lot more about what we need to do to get the club back to where we think it can be and should be.
“At the moment, it isn’t there. Lots of things have happened over a period of time that have manifested themselves into the situation we’re in now.
“Then we have to make sure we act well going forward. But at the moment it’s tough. It’s tough to see any light or any green shoots because we’re still hurting from defeat.”
Despite the defeat, the performance against the Blues’ London rivals on Thursday was a step forward but, with Joao Felix suspended and Denis Zakaria injured, Chelsea might not be able to build on it.
Either way, they are desperate for a win over Crystal Palace on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. Potter outlined why injuries and now Felix’s three-match ban are causing issues.
“We’ve lost Reece, Wesley, Raheem and Christian so it’s almost like ‘back to the drawing board’,” he added. “That’s how it pretty much felt. It’s different things, it feels like you’ve taken one step and then all of a sudden something happens.
“You feel like you’re making progress watching Joao Felix and then all of a sudden, boof, he’s not here for three matches. That’s where we’ve been at the moment.
“I’m sure our supporters don’t want to hear that. They want to see better results and better performances but it’s the position we’re in and we’re suffering and trying our best to improve it.”
